The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-10-20


reputation as citizen and as a Judge, and he will
establish splendid record n Commander. We
welcome him ns the Commander. aud only ask
that Minneapolis may now be the Headquarters OF
the Grand Army OF the Republic. Afer the well
come address Judge Rea stepped forward, but had
20 stand several minutes until the noise OF general
applause from the thousands in the building had
subsidized before he could he introduced, and ai,er
the introduction waited still longer before be could
begin 60 speak. Onentime during his talk there
was n general applause. which showed the sympa-
thy existing between the speaker aud his audience
OF ola soldiers. Following is Commander Reas
speech IN full
Mr. Chairman, Mr. Mayor. comrades and fclloig-
ci' zens: am not vain enough TO accept this mag
niiccnt ovation n mere personal compliment TO
myself, but I accept il as n representative Of the
Grand Army Of the Republic an evidence of the
love that the citizens of Minnesota bear toward the
men who saved the life Of the Republic. The Grand
Army OF the Republic represents in It's ranks to-day
$1,000 men. Those $50 600 members represent all
the other surviving soldiers of the Union, who
from force OF circumstances 10y reason OF place oil
Residence or otherwise, are prevented from being
in IFS ranks. IL is dstinctivey the organization OF
the soldiers oil the Republic. IL represents among ITS
membership men Of all races men Of all religious
faiths men Of all political parties. Banded
together by the frRternal feelings which were
engendercd 10y the association the batetields of
the four years war, ia which was accomplished
more or.the human race than WAS accomplished
In the centuries that preceded that war.
Efforts have been made by men who do not
understand the Grand Army Of the Republic, 10y
men WHO have no conception OF the ties that bind
together i'm that Order TO make IL appear that 10
Is political organization. But want 10 say that
sitting upon the floor of the National Encampment
at 81 Louis the other day were men OF all parties.
men distinguished IN their parties and yet the
loyalty OF each TO the Grand Army of the Republic
was unQuestioned each rivaling the other in show
ing devotion 10 the principles OF this Order. want
10 say another thing, and think il is fitting that
should say II here tonight that the honor that WAS
conferred upon me 10y the Encampmeut. In electing
me as the chief officer OF the Grand Army Of the
Republic, was largely due 10 the impression made
by the people of Minnesota upon the Grand Army
on the occasion Of its visit here three years ago.
Many delegate said TO me- =" Elsewhere we have
received equal hospitality, more money has been
spent In our entertainment but you men of Min
nesota welcomed as in such hearty manner you
took us TO your hearts and yours homes that you
made us feel as you clasped our hands that you
were our friends" IL was the recollection Of that
more than anything else that secured me the cleo
ton-because was n Minnesota man. 1 say, COM
rtdes and friends Of the Grand Army, that the
Grand Army has certain great ends which IL hopes
10 accomplish. want TO speak plainly. IL is not
strange that men who were not in the army, men
who from force Of circumstances or lack OF years
were kept out Of it, Il Is not strange that they should
not comprehend the feeling, should not compre-
bend the sentiments and affections which weld US
together. No man can explain TO you analyze
the affection and love he has for his wife. No man
can fully Rnalyze the love he bears his brother.
You say " lie is my brother and love him." And
30 we say that every man that helped us in 1861,
every man who went out an individual enihused
20 work, did u because lac was the Incarnation OF
liberty aud Union, the incarnation Of the grandest
idea that ever impelled mau TO battle.
We say that every man who went out to uphold
that starry banner when il was torn down. and
planted IL where IL floats to-day over Union of
60,0OoO0 people, over Union OF 60,O000 600 free
men, over a united Union bound together by the
memories and glorics of the past-bound together
by common love of liberty, a common love of
Union-I say the men who helped us fight the bat
ties the men who touched elbows the battlefield
OF Gettysburg, where 10000 men made those hills
hRllowed ground forever by their blood, and the
men who touched elbows in the old Army of the
Cumberland, are our brothers, because we fought
! together. We love them, because together made
| history grander. hoer than ever was made before
on the battle plains OF earth.
Sometimes men say, +" But you men asking
| too much. You want TO pension too many men,"
We differ on that. The people differ, but the
Grand Army OF the Republic does not differ. We
say this, that you may not understand il, but
can. And can tell you how an old soldier feels IL
he secs man that has barred his breast 10 the bat
ties throes, took his life ia his hand aud went out
TO fight for the Union and served IL for years. you
can understand how that old soldier feels il he
scomrade suffering and lingering in the poorhouse
But have this TO say. that know That as long
/ the GAR. maintains the dignifed organization
and wisdom which characterized its last National
Eucampment ia all its legislation all that is neccs
sary TO do Is to go before the American people aud
say. I" This IN what we want" and every man in
this Nato who loves his country will say Amen"
And II Is not confined TO any political party. Here
| II my friend. the Mayor. He aud have never
agreed in politics. but there is one thing we have
always agreed on, and thai is loyalty 10 the Grand
Army of the Republic in loyalty TO the interests Of
our comrades. j regard, any felow-citizens, the
trust that placed In my hands, as the chief
officer OF the Grand Army Of the Republic just as
regard the Grand Army OF the Republic itself as
a sacred trust. j say 20 you that n true. loyal
Grand Army man would as soon think of talking
politics at the death-bed of friend or in the
church OF God as within the precincts Of Grand
Army Post.
am compelled by publication which saw in
a newspaper yesterday, TO say something personal
In regard to myself dislike TO do So but feel il
my duty. While am Commander-in- Chief OF the
Grand Army OF the Republic nothing on earth
| could make me even consider the acceptance Of n
nomination FOR any political Office la the gift of the
people. This trust Is sacred. No honor. ia my es-
tmation, can be higher, and TO that sacred trust
| will be given all the energy, al the wisdom and
all the effort OF my life until that trust Is laid down.
thank you one and all, for the cordiality of this
| reception not merely IN my own behalf but in be-
half of the Grand Army Of the Republic here and
elsewhere. And with respect 10 that Grand Army
let me quote the words Of Hannibal HamlIn. the
| man that stood by the side of Lincoln in all the
great struggles OF his life when sitting by my side
the other day, he turned 10 me and said: =" 4 hold
that there never was an organization like the Grand
Army OF the Repubhe; and my ambition is en-.
tirely satisfied by having been placed by the suf
frage of its representatives al IFS head.
After Judge Rea finished John West on behalf
of the Moman's Relief Corps OF Geo. n Morgan
Post, presented him with a beautiful basket oi
cut flowers. Liberati's Band played a selection
and then Chairman Ege introduced Department
! Commander L. Nheelock, who was called upon "a
deliverthe welcome from the Department lie said
The welcome has already been extended 10y your
cheers better than can extend il by words. There
were in the army about 80 900 whose praises have
never heard sung. The Generals and soldiers have
been praised, but there were 5000 men who led
/ Il
heard the Captains praised, with exception
and he praised because Of the rations lac fed
his horse. so j welcome Capt. Rea. Our Com.
mander has told you that he was elected because
the GAR wanted 10 honor Minnesota But he Il
a man Of excellent judgment, and showed IL wher
he came 10 Minnesota and settled in Minneapolis
| Col. III. @. Hicks was the next speaker and hi,
subject WAS The Grand Army" lie was greeted
with applause, and In the Of his speech said
" Last week at st. Louis the Grand Army celebrat
ed It's 2lst birthday Ii became ofage able 20 speal
for itself, and II named John Il. Rea "a Commander
| When they did that IL named representative man
The Grand Army has many objects in view. Its frs
word Is Fraternity ITS second Charity Charity in III
strongest sense, not only charity 10 a brother bu
10 the Confedefates IL they deserve IT, But there
one principle broader and grander yet and il 4
love Of Union, loyalty 10 the flag and 10 the Uuites
States OF America. There Is such thing as poll
tics in the Grand Army. IL was instituted 10 keeI
us united; 10 tell us and our children and chill
. drens children that there was a great Dolitica
Significance in that which made our organization
possible
was done aud said feel honored tonight as
citizen Of Minnesota and this great city, that Joh
4. Il. Rea was elected Commander-in-Chief I fee
that would rather he Commander OF that organi
cation that has so many names on its membership
Than be President OF the United States. How wa
A \ u done, do you ask me2 will try and tell you
There were all classes of men in that Convention
Eyes IN all parts OF the country turned toward 81
, | Louis, ana there were some who prayed that some
4 thing would come into that Convention that woul
4 break the organization Of the Grand Army but Il
4 me tell you there WAS nothing said by Repubca
4 | or Democrat 10 which any could take exoeu
ton. Whatever Is said or done by any man in an
4 political party against the Grand Army ask yo
. 20 stand by the Commander.in- Chief II any on
: charges the Grand Army with being political OF
ganization, tell him for me that there is truth
q | what he says"
a Speeches were also made by Judge Fish ID
i MnrttllV III I.l.